JP5230635B2 - Track rail and motion guide device including the track rail - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a track rail improved to increase the rigidity and accuracy of a motion guide device, and to a motion guide device including the track rail.

  Conventionally, by providing a track rail and a moving block that is assembled to the track rail via a plurality of rolling elements, the moving guide can be relatively reciprocated along the longitudinal direction of the track rail. The device is known.

  As a typical form of the track rail used in this type of motion guide device, the one shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is known. For example, in the case of the track rail 101 shown in FIG. 7, the rolling element rolling grooves 103 that receive a load from the ball 102 are formed at positions aligned in the vertical direction. When viewed in a cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of 101, it is configured in a diamond shape with corners 104 projecting to the left and right. By adopting such a configuration, the conventional track rail 101 shown in FIG. 7 can set the contact angle between the ball 102 and the rolling element rolling groove 103 in an oblique direction, specifically in a direction inclined by 45 °. Therefore, each ball row is arranged so that loads in four directions (radial direction, reverse radial direction, and lateral direction) acting on the moving block 105 are equalized. Thereby, the conventional motion guide apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7 can be used in any posture.

  Further, the above-described method for equalizing the loads in the four directions is not limited to the method in which the corner portion 104 is provided on the track rail 101 shown in FIG. 7, but is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the track rail 111 as shown in FIG. It is known that a cross section having a rectangular shape can be realized. In the case of the track rail 111 having a shape as shown in FIG. 8, the groove shape of the rolling element rolling groove 113 is devised, the rolling element rolling groove 113 formed on the track rail 111, and the rolling element rolling groove. It is possible to give an angle to the contact angle between the ball 112 and the rolling element rolling groove 113 by, for example, devising the arrangement relationship with the rolling groove 116 on the moving block 115 side arranged opposite to the moving block 115. is there.

  By the way, in the recent industry, there has been a demand for higher rigidity and higher accuracy for the motion guide device in response to a request for expanding the application range. Therefore, in order to satisfy such a demand, improvement of the motion guide device according to the prior art is demanded.

  In particular, when attention is paid to the track rail of the motion guide device, for example, in the case of the track rail 101 shown in FIG. The cross section orthogonal to the direction has a diamond shape. This cross-sectional shape is effective in giving an angle to the contact angle between the ball 102 and the rolling element rolling groove 103, but the diamond shape of the corner portion 104 is disadvantageous in terms of rigidity. That is, when a load is applied to the track rail 101 whose cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has a diamond shape, the rail itself will be finely deformed. Therefore, the conventional track rail 101 shown in FIG. 7 should be improved in order to further increase the rigidity and accuracy of the motion guide device.

  On the other hand, from the viewpoint of rigidity, the shape of the track rail 111 shown in FIG. 8 seems to be suitable at first glance. However, in the case of the track rail 111 in which the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the track rail 111 has a substantially rectangular shape, as is clear from the enlarged schematic diagram shown in FIG. If the contact angle is oblique, it is not preferable because when the ball 112 receives a load, it becomes impossible to secure a load contact surface between the ball 112 and the rolling element rolling groove 113 in the direction in which the contact angle is inclined. This problem will be described in more detail. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the rolling element rolling groove 113 formed on the side surface of the track rail 111 is the upper part of the rolling element rolling groove 113 with the contact angle inclined. With respect to the rolling element rolling groove 113 formed on the upper surface of the track rail 111 because the load contact surface becomes narrow, the load contact surface of the rolling element rolling groove 113 on the right side (rail center side) with a tilted contact angle. Becomes narrower. Therefore, when the ball 112 receives a load and deforms along the groove shape, a force acts in a direction in which the ball 112 slightly rides on the groove end portion of the rolling element rolling groove 113. This phenomenon should be improved in order to further increase the rigidity and accuracy of the motion guide device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to improve the rigidity and accuracy of the motion guide device by improving the shape of the track rail. .

The track rail according to the present invention includes a track rail and a moving block that is assembled to the track rail via a plurality of rolling elements, and the moving block is relatively reciprocable along the longitudinal direction of the track rail. A track rail used in the motion guide apparatus, wherein the track rail is formed with at least two rolling element rolling grooves on the upper surface and at least one rolling groove extending in the longitudinal direction on each side surface. The rolling element rolling groove hangs vertically from the groove end positions on both outer sides of at least two rolling element rolling grooves formed on the upper surface when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track rail. Assuming two imaginary lines to be formed, all of the rolling element rolling grooves formed on each side surface at least one strip are formed so as to be positioned on the outer side of the rail with respect to the two imaginary lines, and At least the rolling member rolling groove near the upper surface and both side surfaces of the track rail said rolling member rolling grooves are formed is formed with an inclination angle, the inclination angle, the upper surface of the track rail is horizontally disposed Assuming both side surfaces of the track rail arranged vertically, a virtual horizontal line passing through the center point of the groove curvature of the rolling element rolling groove formed on the upper surface is formed on the both side surfaces. A virtual vertical line passing through the center point of the groove curvature of each rolling element rolling groove in the vertical direction, and the rolling element rolling groove formed on one side surface and the one rolling element rolling groove The rolling element rolling groove on the upper surface formed in the adjacent position is set as one set, and the rolling element rolling groove formed on the other side surface and the position adjacent to the other rolling element rolling groove are formed. The rolling element rolling groove on the upper surface is the other set, As the center of rotation the intersection of said imaginary horizontal line and the imaginary vertical line that is formed by rotating the upper and side surfaces in each set, characterized in Rukoto.

  Further, in the track rail according to the present invention, the rotation about the intersection of the virtual horizontal line and the virtual vertical line for each of the sets is performed with the virtual horizontal line on the outer side in the upper direction of the track rail. This can be done in the direction of rotation in which the line moves towards the inside in the center of the track rail.

  Furthermore, in the track rail according to the present invention, it is preferable that the inclination angle is in a range of 10 ° to 20 °.

  Still further, in the track rail according to the present invention, the rolling element rolling grooves may be formed in a total of eight, four on the upper surface and two on each side.

  In addition, it is also possible to comprise the exercise | movement guide apparatus provided with the track rail which concerns on this invention mentioned above.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the new track rail which can achieve high rigidity and high precision of a motion guide apparatus can be provided.

It is an appearance perspective view of a track rail concerning this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the track rail which concerns on this embodiment, (a) in the figure shows the upper surface, (b) in the figure shows the side, (c) in the figure has shown the front. It is a figure which shows the shape of a characteristic front in the track rail which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of providing an inclination angle in the vicinity of the rolling-element rolling groove formed in the upper surface and side surface of the track rail which concerns on this embodiment. It is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the exercise | movement guide apparatus which employ | adopted the track rail which concerns on this embodiment. It is a partial longitudinal cross-section front view of the exercise | movement guide apparatus which employ | adopted the track rail which concerns on this embodiment. It is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the exercise | movement guide apparatus which concerns on a prior art. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the other exercise | movement guide apparatus which concerns on a prior art. It is a principal part enlarged view of the other motion guide apparatus based on the prior art shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 track rail, 10a upper surface, 10b, 10b _1, 10b ₂ sides, 11 rolling member rolling groove, 12 bolt hole, 20 motion guide device, A virtual line, B imaginary horizontal-line, C-virtual vertical line, P, Q Mizokyokuritsu Center point, R intersection point, 100 conventional motion guide device, 101, 111 track rail, 102, 112 ball, 103, 113 rolling element rolling groove, 104 corner, 105, 115 moving block, 116 rolling groove.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. .

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a track rail according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the track rail according to the present embodiment, in which (a) shows the upper surface, (b) shows the side surface, and (c) shows the front surface. Yes. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a characteristic front shape in the track rail according to the present embodiment.

  The track rail 10 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves 11 extending in the longitudinal direction formed on the outer surface thereof, and the inside of the plurality of rolling element rolling grooves 11. It is a member that can constitute a motion guide device by assembling a moving block (not shown) via a plurality of balls (not shown) that are installed in a rollable state. In the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, four rolling element rolling grooves 11 are formed on the upper surface 10a, and two rolling element rolling grooves are provided on each side surface 10b. 11 is formed. That is, a total of 8 rolling element rolling grooves 11 are formed in the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment. In particular, the rolling element rolling grooves 11 formed on the upper surface 10a are formed so that two ridges are formed as a set, and are brought to positions on both outer sides in the width direction on the upper surface of the track rail 10, respectively. Rolling element rolling grooves 11, 11 forming a set of stripes are arranged.

  In addition, the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment is formed so that the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has the same shape regardless of the location in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the track rail is formed by a moving block (not shown). The reciprocating motion along the longitudinal direction of 10 can be stably performed.

  Furthermore, the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of bolt holes 12 that open in the vertical direction from the center of the upper surface 10a. The track rail 10 according to the present embodiment can be stably fixed and installed by using the plurality of bolt holes 12, and specifically, with a thread groove formed on a mounting base such as a base. A bolt with the bolt hole 12 conducted is screwed into the mounting hole, and the counterbore in the bolt hole 12 is securely pressed by the head of the bolt, so that the track rail 10 is securely fixed to the base. Is possible.

  Although the schematic configuration of the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the most characteristic point of the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment is its front shape (that is, a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the track rail 10). ). Therefore, significant feature points of the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The track rail 10 according to the present embodiment first assumes two imaginary lines A and A that hang in the vertical direction from the groove end positions on both outer sides of the four rolling element rolling grooves 11 formed on the upper surface 10a. In this case, all of the rolling element rolling grooves 11 formed on each side surface are formed so as to be positioned on the outer side of the rail with respect to the two imaginary lines A and A. This configuration is intended to prevent a reduction in rigidity, which is a problem in the shape of the corner portion 104 of the prior art, and in a vertically downward region of the rolling element rolling groove 11 formed on the upper surface 10a. On the other hand, by forming the rolling element rolling groove 11 formed on the side surface 10b with respect to the track rail 10 so as not to overlap, the track rail 10 can ensure high rigidity.

  Further, the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment is formed with an inclination angle at least in the vicinity of the rolling element rolling groove 11 on the upper surface 10a and both side surfaces 10b of the track rail 10 where the rolling element rolling groove 11 is formed. It is characterized by having.

  This configuration has a problem with the prior art described with reference to FIG. 9, that is, assuming that the contact angle between the ball 112 and the rolling element rolling groove 113 is an oblique direction, the ball 112 and the ball 112 in a direction in which the contact angle is inclined. This is a configuration for solving the problem that the load contact surface with the moving body rolling groove 113 cannot be sufficiently secured. That is, in the track rail 10 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the vicinity of the rolling element rolling groove 11 is formed with an inclination angle. Since the inclination of the contact angle with the rolling groove 11 is taken into consideration, even if the ball shape is deformed along the groove shape of the rolling element rolling groove 11 due to the load on the ball, Since the ball does not protrude from the rolling element rolling groove 11 and the load contact surface between the ball and the rolling element rolling groove 11 is secured, the rolling element rolling groove 11 can reliably receive the ball. It has become. By the action of such a configuration, the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment can realize a motion guide device with high rigidity and high accuracy.

  Incidentally, the configuration in which the inclination angle is provided exhibits a higher effect when a plurality of balls are installed with retainers. That is, in the case of a motion guide device having a row of balls in which a retainer is installed, the rolling element rolling groove is shallower than that without a retainer, so that it has been described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the track rail 111 of the prior art, the risk that the ball 112 protrudes from the rolling element rolling groove 113 is further increased. However, in the case of the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment, even if the rolling element rolling groove 11 is formed in a shallow groove in consideration of the presence of the retainer, the rolling element is provided with an inclination angle. The reliable acceptance state of the ball by the rolling groove 11 is always maintained, and there is no possibility that the ball protrudes from the rolling element rolling groove 11. Also from this, it is possible to confirm the superiority of the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a detailed description will be given of the above-described method of configuring the tilt angle. Here, FIG. 4 is a figure for demonstrating the method of providing an inclination angle in the vicinity of the rolling-element rolling groove 11 formed in the upper surface 10a and the side surface 10b of the track rail 10 which concerns on this embodiment.

When determining the inclination angle, first, as shown by (a) in FIG. 4, the upper surface 10a of the track rail 10 that is horizontally disposed and the both side surfaces 10b ₁ and 10b _{2 of the} track rail 10 that is disposed vertically. Is assumed, the virtual horizontal line B passing through the center point P of the rolling element rolling groove 11 of the rolling element rolling groove 11 formed on the upper surface 10a in the horizontal direction, and the respective formed on both side surfaces 10b ₁ and 10b ₂ . The virtual vertical line C that passes through the center point Q of the groove curvature of the rolling element rolling groove 11 in the vertical direction is grasped.

Then, the rolling element rolling groove 11 formed on one side surface 10b ₁ (the left side surface in FIG. 3) and the position close to the one rolling element rolling groove 11 (on the left side of the paper surface on the upper surface 10a in FIG. 3). The rolling element rolling groove 11 of the upper surface 10a formed at the position) is set as one set α, and the intersection R of the virtual horizontal line B and the virtual vertical line C grasped here is set as the center of rotation. The tilt angle θ is given by rotating the upper surface 10a and the side surface 10b (see (b) in FIG. 4).

Further, the application of the tilt angle can be performed in the same manner for the set of rolling element rolling grooves 11 formed on the right side indicated by the symbol β in FIG. 3, for example, and the other side surface 10b ₂ (FIG. 3 Rolling surface rolling groove 11 formed on the right side surface of the paper) and the rolling surface of the upper surface 10a formed at a position close to the other rolling body rolling groove 11 (position on the right side of the top surface 10a in FIG. 3). The moving body rolling groove 11 is set as the other set β, and the upper surface 10a and the side surface 10b ₂ of the other set β are rotated around the intersection R of the virtual horizontal line B and the virtual vertical line C grasped here. Thus, the track rail 10 provided with the inclination angle as shown in FIG. 3 is realized.

As described above, the track rail 10 according to this embodiment to which the inclination angle is given is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the paper surface of FIG. As a result, the lower portion of the side surface 10b ₁ enters the inside of the rail, and the central portion of the upper surface 10a rises to the upper side of the rail. Further, in FIG. 3 as the center of rotation the intersection R in the other set β results in which a tilt angle θ rotated clockwise to the plane, here as well, the lower portion of the side surface 10b ₂ are rails The center portion of the upper surface 10a rises to the upper side of the rail while entering the inside.

  In the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment, the inclination of the contact angle between the ball and the rolling element rolling groove 11 is inclined toward the center of the rail on the upper surface 10a, and on the side surface 10b. Since the rail is inclined so as to be directed diagonally upward (see, for example, FIG. 6), the rotation around the intersection R of the virtual horizontal line B and the virtual vertical line C for each pair α, β is The virtual horizontal line B is performed in the rotational direction in which the virtual horizontal line B moves toward the upper side outside the track rail 10 and the virtual vertical line C moves toward the center direction inner side of the track rail 10. By setting the inclination of the contact angle in such a direction, in the motion guide device using the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment, four directions (radial direction, reverse radial direction, and lateral direction) acting on the moving block are used. The load becomes even and can be used in any posture.

  Furthermore, in the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of improving the rigidity, all of the rolling element rolling grooves 11 formed on each side surface of the two rolling elements 11 are located on the outer side of the rail from the two virtual lines A and A. Therefore, according to the method for setting the inclination angle, as shown in FIG. 4B, the inclination angle θ is naturally set. There is a limit point. In addition, there is a lower limit value to which the inclination angle θ should be given because of the requirement that the ball should be suitably received by the rolling element rolling groove 11. As a result of researches by the inventors, it has become clear that the inclination angle θ is preferably provided in the range of 10 ° to 20 °. However, this numerical value is found in consideration of the model number of existing motion guide devices currently manufactured and sold, restrictions on manufacturing technology, etc. It is clear that all of the track rails formed using the inclination angle setting concept described above belong to the technical scope of the present invention even if they are not.

  Next, a motion guide device configured using the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment described above is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the motion guide device 20 employing the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a motion guide device 20 employing the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. By realizing the motion guide device 20 to which the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment is applied, it is possible to realize a motion guide device that has higher rigidity and higher accuracy than the prior art. However, the motion guide apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is merely one of various application examples of the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment, and the track rail 10 according to the present embodiment is used. Various deformation modes can be adopted for the motion guide device used.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the embodiment.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the track rail 10 in the case where four rolling elements rolling grooves 11 are formed, four on the upper surface 10a and two on each side surface 10b has been described as an example. As for the number of formation of the rolling element rolling grooves 11, it is sufficient that at least two rolling element rolling grooves are formed on the upper surface, and at least one rolling element rolling groove is formed on each of both side surfaces, and the upper limit of the number of formation is not particularly limited. .

  Moreover, in the track rail 10 which concerns on this embodiment mentioned above, the case where the groove shape of the rolling-element rolling groove 11 was made into the circular arc format was illustrated and demonstrated. However, as the groove shape of the rolling element rolling groove, other types such as a Gothic arch type may be employed. In addition, since the rolling element rolling groove 11 of this embodiment mentioned above was a circular arc type groove shape formed by one circular arc, the center point of the groove curvature was one point. However, the present invention can also be applied to a Gothic arch type groove shape formed by two arcs, and the above-described virtual horizontal line B is also obtained by connecting the center points of the two groove curvatures of the Gothic arch groove. Or a virtual vertical line C can be obtained. Therefore, the present invention is an invention with a wide range of applications that can be applied to any groove shape.

  Further, the number, shape, and position of the bolt holes 12 formed in the track rail 10 can be arbitrarily changed, and a track rail in which the bolt holes 12 are omitted can be configured. About these, what is necessary is just to select a structure arbitrarily according to the use conditions of a track rail concerning this invention, use environment, a required specification, etc.

  It is apparent from the description of the scope of claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

Use in a motion guide device comprising a track rail and a moving block assembled to the track rail via a plurality of rolling elements, wherein the moving block is relatively reciprocally movable along the longitudinal direction of the track rail. A track rail,
The track rail is formed with at least two rolling element rolling grooves on the upper surface and at least one rolling element on each side surface extending in the longitudinal direction,
When the rolling element rolling groove is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track rail,
When two imaginary lines that hang vertically from the groove end positions on both outer sides of at least two rolling element rolling grooves formed on the upper surface are assumed, the rolling element rolling formed on at least one line on each side surface. All the running grooves are formed so as to be located on the outer side of the rail with respect to the two imaginary lines,
and,
At least the vicinity of the rolling element rolling groove on the upper surface and both side surfaces of the track rail where the rolling element rolling groove is formed is formed with an inclination angle ,
The inclination angle is
Assuming the top surface of the track rail that is horizontally disposed and both side surfaces of the track rail that is vertically disposed,
A virtual horizontal line passing through the center point of the groove curvature of the rolling element rolling groove formed on the upper surface in the horizontal direction and the center point of the groove curvature of each rolling element rolling groove formed on the both side surfaces in the vertical direction The virtual vertical line passing through
The rolling element rolling groove formed on one side surface and the rolling element rolling groove on the upper surface formed at a position close to the one rolling element rolling groove are formed in one set and formed on the other side surface. The rolling element rolling groove and the rolling element rolling groove on the upper surface formed at a position close to the other rolling element rolling groove are the other set, and the virtual horizontal line and the virtual vertical grasped for each set as the center of rotation the intersection of the line, track rail, wherein Rukoto formed by rotating the upper and side surfaces at each set. The track rail according to claim 1 ,
The rotation about the intersection of the virtual horizontal line and the virtual vertical line for each set is such that the virtual horizontal line is directed upward on the track rail and the virtual vertical line is directed toward the track rail center side. Track rail characterized in that it is performed in the direction of rotation that moves. The track rail according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The track rail is characterized in that the inclination angle is in a range of 10 ° to 20 °. In the track rail according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The rolling rail rolling groove is formed with 8 tracks in total, 4 on the upper surface and 2 on each side. An exercise | movement guide apparatus provided with the track rail of any one of Claims 1-4 .

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